Qatar’s first biotechnology and medical research company will be established at the Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP).

The Scientific Medical Applied Research & Development (SMARD) Company will develop diagnostic tools and treatments for diseases, especially those that affect Middle East and North Africa populations.

“SMARD will put Qatar on the international map of medical research and bring European expertise to our country," said Mohamed Al Hamed Al Marwani, chairman and shareholder of SMARD.

“An investment of several million dollars in the research and development will be aimed at treating chronic diseases, including diabetes and other long term diseases induced by disturbances of the immune system,” he said.

SMARD is a subsidiary of the German companies KMG AG and iSIMA, which have close relations with universities in Tuebingen and others clinics and universities in Germany and Austria. It is expanding collaborations to universities in the Middle East with Cairo University and Menoufeya University in Egypt, as well as other international hospitals and R&D institutes.

“In Qatar, SMARD aims to work with the National Health Authority and Sidra Medical & Research Centre, and further the existing collaboration with Qatar University,” said Al Marwani.

Professor Dr Hans Werner Heinrich, a SMARD project leader, said:  “We have been working with universities and hospitals in Europe to find new ways of fighting inflammatory diseases. With Qatar’s investment in the Science & Technology Park, it is the perfect opportunity to further our research in the Middle East.”

Qatar Science & Technology Park is part of the Qatar Foundation, founded by Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar, and chaired by his wife Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned. QSTP’s purpose is to grow Qatar’s knowledge economy, by attracting companies and entrepreneurs from around the world to develop and commercialise their technology in Qatar.

Dr Eulian Roberts, Managing Director of Qatar Science & Technology Park, added:  “Qatar has already made great strides in growing its knowledge economy in areas like energy, the environment and IT.  SMARD coming to the science park is important because it signifies our expansion into health sciences as well.  They are a cutting-edge biomedical company and we warmly welcome their partnership.” – TradeArabia News Service